All Six Dems on Budget Committee Flunk Tax Test

Each of the six Democrats sitting on the bipartisan congressional committee tasked with cutting spending by $1.5 billion over the next decade received a grade of “F” for their voting records from the National Taxpayers Union, reports CNSNews.com.

Those lawmakers who failed the group’s tax test are Rep. James E. Clyburn of South Carolina, Rep. Xavier Becerra of California, Rep. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, and Sen. Max Baucus of Montana.

The nonpartisan organization flunks and labels as “Big Spender” those lawmakers who score 20 percent or less in its rating system. Those scoring at least 90 percent are graded “A” and named a “Taxpayers’ Friend.” Scores are based on how they voted on budget-slashing legislation.

Clyburn received the lowest score, voting just 2 percent of the time to cut spending. His Republican counterpart on the committee, Sen. Jon Kyl of Arizona, scored highest, voting on cuts 97 percent of the time.

The committee is made up of six Senate and six House members from both parties.